Gwendolyn Brooks (Recorded July 21, 1964) and Janos Starker (Recorded c. 1965)

June 9, 2017, 11:00 pm

Share this Post

Gwendolyn Brooks
Gwendolyn Brooks

Gwendolyn Brooks:
Born on June 7th a century ago and raised in Chicago, Gwendolyn Brooks was one of the most highly regarded, influential, and widely-read of American poets. In 1950, she became the first black author to win the Pulitzer Prize, and in 1985, the first black woman named as poetry consultant to the Library of Congress.  She also served as Poet Laureate of Illinois from her appointment in 1968 until her death in 2000. In tonight’s Best of Studs Terkel, first heard on WFMT in July 1964, both Studs and his honored guest recite some of her iconic prose.

Janos Starker:
In 1965, Studs spoke with cellist Janos Starker about his early life, how Heifetz inspired him as a performer, the music he loved, and more.